MARK DREYFUS MP

Australia has now formally joined 38 other nations as a party to the world's first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC MP and NSW Minister for Emergency Services Michael Gallacher today extended disaster assistance to six additional local government areas affected by last weekends severe storms and flooding in NSW.

Disaster assistance will be provided to Victorian communities hit by bushfires in February 2013 under the jointly funded Commonwealth and Victorian Government Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Yesterday the Parliament passed the second of two Bills necessary to change the of name of the Federal Magistrates Court to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the title of Federal Magistrate to Judge.

Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus QC, today expressed concern that Queensland Premier Campbell Newman appears to lack a basic understanding of constitutional and royal succession law.

New laws that criminalise forced marriage, forced labour and organ trafficking have been passed by the Australian Parliament today.

On 21 March 2013, the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, will deliver a national apology, on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices.

The Gillard Government welcomes the detailed work of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee in examining the draft Bill to consolidate five pieces of legislation which form the body of Australia's anti-discrimination laws.

New national survey results from more than 250 major businesses shows cyber attacks are becoming increasingly targeted and coordinated, with one in five experiencing an electronic attack in the last year.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been extended to people severely affected by the flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in the NSW township of Tumbulgum.